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This trail takes riders from the edge of Beacon Hill east across Lake Washington to Mercer Island and Bellevue on the edge of a floating bridge. Somewhat hilly, especially on Mercer Island. There is a long bike tunnel decorated with wall paintings going through the Mt. Baker Ridge. The eastern end of the trail snakes through a freeway cloverleaf and deposits the cyclist in Factoria. When crossing 23rd Ave westbound on the trail, if one heads right there is a spur trail that ends at Rainier Ave S near Hiawatha which is a good route to take to the bike lanes on Dearborn. If one turns left on 23rd Ave instead, the trail soon continues to your right, heading all the way uphill to 12th Ave on Beacon Hill. A few blocks to the north will get you to the bike lanes on 12th, or head across the intersection for a bike route up Beacon Hill.
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This view of the Seattle skyline is near the western trailhead. Artwork reminds me of army tents…
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Location: King County
City(s): Seattle, Bellevue, Mercer Island, WA
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Length: 13.5 miles.
Approx.
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Popularity: Somewhat
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Elevation: Some hills (esp. on the Island)
Gain
Loss
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Facilities |
Trail Condition |
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Drinking Water:
Yes
Restrooms:
Yes
Benches:
Yes
Picnic Tables:
Yes
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Surface Type:
Paved
Surface Quality:
9
Scenery:
7
Lighting:
3
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Ratings: 0 = none/ the worst
5 = average
10 = excellent
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Maps:
Bellevue Bike Map
Downtown Seattle Bike Map
King County Bike Map
Mercer Island Lid Park VR
Mercer Island Parks Map
Missing Links trail map
Seattle end of trail
South Bellevue Trails Map
Taejon Park VR
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Connections:
1. Connects to the Lake Washington Loop bike route in Bellevue and Seattle.
2. Comes within a few blocks the 12th Ave bike lanes to Capitol Hill
3. Connects to Rainier Ave S/ Hiawatha for an alternate route to downtown via Dearborn St.
4. Connects to the Lake to Lake Trail in Bellevue
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Expansions:
1. SDOT will design an eastern trail extension in 2007 and 2008, and construct the trail in 2008 or 2009. Eventually there are plans to continue this trail by building a bike bridge over the freeway to connect with a trail next to Safeco Field that leads down to the Waterfront.
2. Bellevue has plans to fill in the missing trail link from Factoria to the eastern I-90 trail. Currently these segments are unfunded. (See page 9 on the linked document.)
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Photo Gallery
The beginning of the I-90 trail, next to the 12th Ave bridge over Dearborn
A gift from Seattle's sister city in Korea, this oriental temple is the centerpiece of this park
Trail spur on the north side of I-90 leads to Rainier Ave. Big hill!
This convenient bridge lets you avoid a freeway entrance ramp
A couple of road crossings may slow you down a tad
Looking west as the trail goes onto a ledge from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
The west end of the tunnel. This shot shows how deep thru the hillside the tunnel goes
A welcome message on the west end of the I-90 tunnel
Seattle -- Portal to the Pacific. East end of the tunnel
Gazing out on Lake Washington and I-90 bridge
Crossing bridge from Mercer Island towards Seattle. You can see some downtown buildings from here
Rules? Welcome to Mercer Island
Several driveways cross the trail on Mercer Island. Be alert for cars pulling out!
Rest stop near the top of the hill on Mercer Island.
An ivy-covered wall
Crossing the bridge from Bellevue to Mercer Island
At this trail juncture with the Lake to Lake Trail, the bridge crosses Mercer Slough
Trail meanders through a marsh beside the freeway
The trail crosses the road underneath 405 and intersects the Lake Washington Bike Route
Approaching the 405 Cloverleaf
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